Health Insurance and a Foreign National’s Legal Stay in Poland

Insurance as a Condition for Legal Residence

Under Polish law, any person from outside the European Union who stays in Poland for more than 3 months is required to have valid health insurance. This is a formal requirement when applying for a visa or a temporary residence permit.

This means that Health insurance for a residence card It is essential that the provincial office approve the application. A document confirming the purchase of the insurance policy must be included with the application materials, along with photographs and the apartment lease agreement.

Without this, a foreign national will not only fail to obtain a residence card, but may also have trouble extending their stay in Poland in the future.

You can find details about this type of coverage on the website KL Insurance for Foreigners: For Visas and Residence Cards.

Why do government agencies require health insurance?

The purpose of the insurance requirement is to ensure that a foreign national will not be left without the means to pay for medical treatment in the event of illness or an accident. Polish medical facilities are not required to provide free care to uninsured individuals from outside the EU. Therefore, the authorities want to ensure that a foreign national has a policy that will cover the costs of any hospitalization, medical transport, or outpatient treatment.

It is usually required that the sum insured be at least 30,000 euros – This is the minimum amount of coverage for medical expenses required for the document to be accepted by Polish authorities.

Who is required to have health insurance?

Insurance is mandatory for:

applicants for a national visa (type D),
foreign nationals applying for a temporary residence permit,
college students and high school students,
foreign workers and self-employed individuals,
family members of foreign nationals residing in Poland.

People from the European Union can use European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), however, for a long-term stay, it is also recommended that you purchase private insurance, especially if you plan to work or study.

What does health insurance for foreigners cover?

In most cases, the scope of coverage is very broad and includes:

medical appointments and diagnostic tests,
hospitalization and surgical procedures,
treatment of acute injuries and illnesses,
medical transport in Poland,
medical transport to the country of origin,
reimbursement for the cost of medications.

This allows foreign nationals to receive medical care in any situation—whether in emergencies or for minor infections.

You can find more practical information in the article Health Insurance for Foreigners in Poland – Who Is Required to Have It and How Can You Get It?.

What types of insurance are accepted by government agencies?

Polish government agencies accept both public insurance (e.g., ZUS/NFZ) and private policies from reputable insurance companies. However, the document must meet the following criteria:

covered the entire duration of the stay,
guaranteed to cover medical expenses of at least 30,000 euros,
was issued in Polish or English,
covered the costs of emergency medical treatment.

Most often, foreigners opt for private Health Insurance for Foreigners in Poland, which can be concluded quickly, without the need for a PESEL number or a Polish bank account.

Consequences of Not Having Insurance

Failure to have a valid health insurance policy carries serious consequences. In addition to being denied a residence card, a foreign national risks having to cover the full cost of medical treatment out of pocket. In the event of a serious illness or accident, the costs of hospitalization and medical transport can exceed a month’s salary, and sometimes even a year’s income.

That is why having Health Insurance for Foreigners It's not just a formality—it's a guarantee of financial security and peace of mind during your stay in Poland.

Where can I buy an insurance policy?

You can purchase the policy both in Poland and before arriving in the country. Many companies offer the option to purchase it online—simply fill out a short form, specify the length of your stay, and pay the premium with a credit or debit card. Once the contract is signed, the insurer issues a document confirming coverage, which you can immediately submit to the authorities when applying for a visa or residence permit.

For more information on the formalities, see the article Health Insurance and the Residence Card – Key Formalities.

Why is it a good idea to have insurance even if it isn't required?

Even if a foreigner is staying in Poland on a tourist visa and is not required to have insurance, it’s worth purchasing a policy. Illness or an accident can happen at any time, and medical costs are often many times higher than the price of an annual policy. Additionally, having insurance provides a greater sense of security and peace of mind—the foreign national knows that, if necessary, they will receive medical assistance without unnecessary red tape.

Health Insurance for Foreigners In Poland, this is not only a legal obligation but also one of the most important aspects of a safe stay. It allows you to obtain a visa and a residence card and provides financial protection in the event of illness. Thanks to this insurance, a foreign national can legally live and work in Poland, confident that they will receive appropriate care in any situation.